Man hospitalized after natural gas leak explosion

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Grand Junction Fire Fighters have released more information about a house explosion that happened in a neighborhood near the river Monday afternoon.

The incident was reported at 445 4th Avenue Unit #10, just before 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Officials say the unit suffered significant damage due to an explosion and small fire inside the home.

There was one man home at the time, he was taken to the hospital with serious burns. A woman also lives at the home, but was not there at the time. Fire fighters were able to find a cat that lived at the home as well, and it escaped unharmed.

Xcel Energy crews were called to the scene and shut off power and gas to the entire complex. None of the neighboring units were damaged.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but officials say it appears as if it's a natural gas explosion from a leaking stove.